Frame replacement????

I own a 02 taco sr5 trd 4x4 I've seen people on this forum discussing frame replacement. What is the reason for this? I called a toyota dealer near me, gave them my vin # and asked on any recalls on this year and they said the only recalls on 02 tacos is a lower ball joint. Just wondering on the frame replacement issue and what is failing on the frames rust???

 

yes its the rust, some of the 2nd gen models ar enow having rust issues.

 

From my understanding it has to be visually inspected and given the ok for replacement by a dealership (Toyota Rep). So just giving them a VIN wouldn't raise a flag.

 

It's not really a recall so much as an extended warranty.

 

Ok thanks my frame visually looks ok. Is there a common place for the rust to start?

 

my buddy had the frame replaced on his 01 and visually it looked good till the hit it with a hammer and it went right in. The worst if it was the frame behind the rear wheels. The mechanic we know at dealer said the rust proofing spray didnt make it all the way back that far and that was the cause. In the process of replacing frame everything they broke was replaced no charge so the truck is damn near new.

 

I bought a 2004 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4 a few weeks ago from a dealer here on Cape Cod, My check light came on and I took it back to the dealer and they said it was a evap system code so they sent my truck to my local Toyota dealer shop , they called me and said that they noticed a rust hole in the frame in a few spots, I saw and was the size of a dime and quarter, anyways they said that someone tried to hide it with the frame coating and the mechanic found it by chance , well they did in fact order me a brand new frame, Toyota is paying for it along with new springs and misc other stuff, about $13k worth of work, I don,t know much about the warranty program but this is just a FYI that Toyota is honoring me and I am a happy camper. I also talked to the mechanic that will be doing the work and they are even throwing on a body lift ( which I will buy) for free as it will be a fresh build anyways, another pluss for me , today,s date is 11-29-13 so yes either they still have the program going or I got lucky because some one tried to hide the frame , anyways I am a happy Taco owner now, also they will look for any and all problems to fix because I have the full extra coverage and extended drive train plan, haha another win for me...another note, they gave me a rental 2013 Tacoma for the month that it will take to finish

 

You must have got lucky.... my local dealers wouldn't do it. I contacted Toyota and they wouldn't do it. But at least I bought the truck for cheap.

 

I think there's some confusion on what Toyota will do about the frames. Basically, if you live in the "cold weather" states and had the frame inspected and sprayed by the date set forth by Toyota, your truck is covered under the extended warranty (15 years from original in-service date). If a perforation is found before the warranty is up, the frame will be replaced. Initial inspection and spraying is over but Toyota will be replacing frames until 2019 (15 years for an 04).

 

makes perfect sense, as mine was coated and they discovered a hole in it, thus giving me a new frame--

 

I have a 2002 and we just discovered major holes in the far back of the frame. I took into the dealer and so far no problems. They ordered a new frame and I'm waiting for her to get done. The rep said its 15 year coverage from date sold. Here's hoping that I don't get a last minute call telling me I'm sol. I have to say as someone new to owning a toyota, I'm pretty amazed how I've been treated so far.

 

Beargram,

they should provide you with a rental vehicle for the time that yours is in the shop getting the frame replaced.